Bowling ball enclosure

ABSTRACT

A method and a bowling ball enclosure are provided for encasing and reducing temperature fluctuations of and within a bowling ball. The bowling ball enclosure includes an inner layer and an outer layer that are made of a polymer material, the inner layer forming an interior region that receives the bowling ball, at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer being monolithic. The bowling ball enclosure also includes a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion being reinforced with a stiffener to support the top portion, the stiffener being connected to at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer, the top portion being positionable from a first position to a second position to encapsulate the bowling ball. In the first position, the top portion being in an open position to receive the bowling ball into the interior region. In the second position, the top portion being in a closed position to encapsulate the bowling bowl, the top portion being folded towards the bottom portion to decrease the amount of empty space in the interior region. A bottom perforated circulating ring support is located between the bowling ball enclosure and a support surface, wherein the bottom perforated circulating ring support provides for a circulation of air between the support surface and the bottom of the bowling ball enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method forencapsulating and reducing temperature fluctuations of a bowling balland temperature differentials within a bowling ball so as to reduceinduced core and layer separation, coverstock cracking, and acceleratedresin coverstock aging through the evaporative drying of the bowlingball.

Description of Related Art

A bowling ball is typically made up of multiple layers, such as a core,a filler, and a coverstock, wherein each layer of material has adifferent thickness and composition. Heavier bowling balls may includeadditional layers of greater density material or more layers of aparticular material. As each layer of material has a particularcoefficient of thermal expansion, each layer will expand and contract atdifferent corresponding rates, which upon exposure to a substantialchange in ambient temperature may play a role in the occasional crackingof the bowling ball. For example, depending upon the season (summer orwinter), a bowling ball may experience a temperature change of 20°F.-50° F. or greater, such as when transitioning between outdoors and“room temperature”. Due to thermal expansion or contraction, thematerials of an unprotected bowling ball may not be able to tolerate thesudden disparate changes in temperature, such as between the poles ofthe bowling ball or between the core and the outside of the bowlingball, thus resulting in cracking of the bowling ball.

If a bowling ball is placed on a concrete floor such as in a basement orgarage, there is an ambient temperature difference directly contiguousto both the bottom and top polar regions of the bowling ball relative toits orientation resting on the floor. At times, there may be an ambienttemperature differential of 6° F. or greater at the top and bottom polarregions of the bowling ball. After a period of time, this temperaturegradient is directly transferred to the polar regions of the bowlingball, wherein the resulting temperature differential may cause thebowling ball to crack. It is believed the temperature differentialaffects each layer of material in the bowling ball creating tension fromthe coefficient of thermal expansion variability between the poles. Itis also believed the outer coverstock itself may be susceptible tocracking from such temperature differentials.

Also, as the coverstocks may now be formed of a wide range of urethaneand reactive resins, the bowling balls can have a tendency to drythrough the evaporation of plasticizers, which can lead to degradationin performance of the bowling ball and may result in cracking.

Therefore, a need exists for a system that encapsulates a bowling ballto provide thermal insulation, thereby reducing temperature fluctuationsand differentials and retaining desired softening agent levels, whileextending the life of the bowling ball.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a bowling ball enclosure that encasesand reduces temperature fluctuations of, and within, a bowling ball. Thebowling ball enclosure may include an inner layer and an outer layerthat are made of a polymer material, the inner layer forming an interiorregion that receives the bowling ball, at least one of the inner layerand the outer layer being monolithic. The bowling ball enclosure mayalso include a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion beingreinforced with a stiffener to support the top portion, the stiffenerbeing connected to at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer,the top portion being positionable from a first position to a secondposition to encapsulate the bowling ball; wherein in the first position,the top portion being in an open position to receive the bowling ballinto the interior region, and in the second position, the top portionbeing in a closed position to encapsulate the bowling bowl, the topportion being folded towards the bottom portion to decrease an amount ofempty space in the interior region. The bowling ball enclosure mayfurther include an insulation layer intermediate the inner layer and theouter layer, the insulation layer having a top portion spaced from thestiffener by a sufficient distance such that a portion of the insulationlayer is within the folded top portion in the second position. Thebowling ball enclosure may include at least two bottom releasablefasteners being positioned on the outer layer in the bottom portion ofthe bowling ball enclosure. The bowling ball enclosure may also includeat least two top releasable fasteners being positioned on the topportion of the bowling ball enclosure, the at least two top releasablefasteners being fastened to the at least two bottom releasable fastenerswhen the bowling ball enclosure is in the second position.

A further configuration is disclosed wherein the bowling ball enclosuremay include at least two grips being positioned on opposing sides of theouter layer and below the stiffener of the top portion of the bowlingball enclosure, the at least two grips assisting a user to hold thebowling ball enclosure when the bowling ball enclosure is in the secondposition; at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer issufficient to prevent tearing of the bowling ball enclosure due to aweight of the bowling ball; each of the at least two bottom releasablefasteners include an aperture to expel air from the interior region whenbowling ball enclosure transitions from the first position to the secondposition; the aperture of the at least two bottom releasable fastenersis a grommet; the polymer material is polyester or polyethylene; thepolymer material is biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate; thebottom releasable fasteners and the top releasable fasteners arehook-and-loop fasteners; the insulation layer includes a rectangularsheet and a disk of insulation material, the rectangular sheet beingrolled into a cylinder having a top portion and a bottom portion, thedisk being positioned at the bottom position of the cylinder; thestiffener of the top portion of the bowling ball enclosure is plastic;the stiffener of the top portion of the bowling ball enclosure is madeof high-density polyethylene (HDPE); the bowling ball enclosure includesa height and a width, the at least two bottom releasable fasteners beingpositioned below the midpoint of the height of the bowling ballenclosure; a bottom perforated air circulating ring support that ispositioned at the bottom portion of the bowling ball enclosure; thebottom perforated air circulating ring support is made of a perforatedrigid and insulation material; the bottom perforated circulating ringsupport is positioned on the outer layer of the bowling ball enclosure;the at least two bottom releasable fasteners are on opposing sides ofthe bottom portion of the bowling ball enclosure; the at least two topreleasable fasteners are on opposing sides of the top portion of thebowling ball enclosure.

A method is disclosed of utilizing a bowling ball enclosure to encaseand reduce temperature fluctuations of a bowling ball. The method mayinclude providing the bowling ball enclosure. The bowling ball enclosuremay include an inner layer and an outer layer that are made of a polymermaterial, the inner layer forming an interior region that receives thebowling ball, at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer beingmonolithic. The bowling ball enclosure may also include a bottom portionand a top portion, the top portion being reinforced with a stiffener tosupport the top portion, the stiffener being connected to at least oneof the inner layer and the outer layer, the top portion beingpositionable from a first position to a second position to encapsulatethe bowling ball: in the first position, the top portion being in anopen position to receive the bowling ball into the interior region, andin the second position, the top portion being in a closed position toencapsulate the bowling bowl, the top portion being folded towards thebottom portion to decrease the amount of empty space in the interiorregion. The bowling ball enclosure may further include an insulationlayer intermediate the inner layer and the outer layer, the insulationlayer having a top portion spaced from the stiffener by a sufficientdistance such that a portion of the insulation layer is within thefolded top portion in the second position. The bowling ball enclosuremay include at least two bottom releasable fasteners being positioned onthe outer layer in the bottom portion of the bowling ball enclosure. Thebowling ball enclosure may also include at least two top releasablefasteners being positioned on the top portion of the bowling ballenclosure, the at least two top releasable fasteners being fastened tothe at least two bottom releasable fasteners when the bowling ballenclosure is in the second position. The method may also includeinserting the bowling ball into the interior region of the bowling ballenclosure. The method may further include closing the top portion of thebowling ball enclosure to encapsulate the bowling ball in the interiorregion of the bowling ball enclosure. The method may include folding thetop portion of the bowling ball enclosure towards the bottom portion ofthe bowling ball enclosure, thereby expelling the air from the interiorregion of the bowling ball enclosure. The method may also includeattaching each of the at least two top releasable fasteners to each ofthe at least two bottom releasable fasteners, respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate aspects of thedisclosure and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowling ball enclosure in a firstposition;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bowling ball enclosure in thefirst position;

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the bowling ball enclosure in asecond position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the bowling ball enclosure in thesecond position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the bowling ball enclosure as shownin FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the bowling ball enclosureincluding a bottom perforated circulating ring support that ispositioned on and under an outer layer of the bowling ball enclosure;

FIG. 7A is a plan view of a blank for forming a portion of the innerlayer of the bowling ball enclosure; and

FIG. 7B is a plan view of a blank for forming a portion of the outerlayer of the bowling ball enclosure.

FIG. 8 is a side elevational schematic of various configurations of thebottom perforated circulating ring support.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description ofvarious configurations of the present disclosure and is not intended torepresent the only configurations in which the present disclosure may bepracticed. It will be apparent, however, to those of ordinary skill inthe art that the present disclosure is not limited to the specificdetails set forth herein and may be practiced without these specificdetails.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an apparatus and a methodof providing an insulating body for encompassing at least one bowlingball. The present disclosure addresses the problems associated withtemperature variations on bowling balls, which can cause oils to seepout of the bowling ball material, and can cause material failures aswell as inducing condensation when subsequently exposed to warmertemperatures. The present disclosure also provides for retaining arelatively high concentration of oil, plasticizer, and resin vapors inthe environment of the retained bowling ball so as to reduce theevaporation rate of the oils, plastisizers, and resins from the bowlingball.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a representative bowling ball enclosure 100. Thebowling ball enclosure 100 may include an inner layer 110 and an outerlayer 120 that may be made of a polymer material. The polymer materialmay be selected to function as a vapor diffusion retarder, vaporbarrier, solar barrier, as well as provide strength for retaining abowling ball 140. In one configuration, the polymer material may be apolyester and in certain configurations a polyethylene terephthalate(PET) or a polyethylene, and in further configurations a polyester,biaxially-oriented polyethylene terephthalate, though it is recognizedthe material can be any other material suitable for the intended purposeand understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In oneconfiguration, the inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 may bepolyester films commercially available under the mark MYLAR® of DupontTeijin Films U.S. Alternatively, it is contemplated at least one of theinner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 may be formed of a 4 to 6 mil(thousandths of an inch) thick polyethylene film.

The inner layer 110 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may form aninterior region 130 that receives the bowling ball 140. The inner layer110 and the outer layer 120 may be monolithic that resists tearing andassists in retaining the bowling ball 140 in the bowling ball enclosure100. That is, each the inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 may beformed of a single integral piece, blank, of material. It is understoodthe blanks may include notches or cuts for forming into the desiredshape. The inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may also be constructed to be sufficient to preventtearing of the bowling ball enclosure 100 due to the weight of thebowling ball 140.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, in one configuration, at least one of theinner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 may include a contiguous band ofmaterial 112, 122 respectively, extending from a top portion 160 of thebowling ball enclosure 100 through a bottom portion 150 of the bowlingball enclosure 100 to an opposing top portion 160 of the bowling ballenclosure 100. The contiguous band of material 112, 122 may beconfigured to be free of seams or joints, which could weaken thematerial of the bowling ball enclosure 100.

When the blank is formed up, the resulting bowling bowl enclosure 100may include the bottom portion 150 and the top portion 160. The topportion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may be positionable from afirst position to a second position to encapsulate the bowling ball 140in the interior region 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.

In the first position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top portion 160 ofthe bowling ball enclosure 100 may be in an open position to receive thebowling ball 140 into the interior region 130 of the bowling ballenclosure 100. The top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 mayhave a circumference that is greater than the circumference of thebowling ball 140 to receive the bowling ball 140 into the interiorregion 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.

In the second position, as shown in FIGS. 3-5, the top portion 160 ofthe bowling ball enclosure 100 may be in a closed position toencapsulate the bowling bowl 140 in the interior region 130 of thebowling ball enclosure 100. The top portion 160 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may be folded towards the bottom portion 150 of thebowling ball enclosure 100 to decrease the amount of empty space in theinterior region 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.

The top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may be reinforcedwith a stiffener 170 that may support the top portion 160 of the bowlingball enclosure 100. The stiffener 170 may also be connected to at leastone of the inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 of the bowling ballenclosure 100. In one configuration, the stiffener 170 is retainedbetween the inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 in the top portion160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100. In one configuration, thestiffener 170 may have sufficient rigidity to retain the top portion 160of the bowling ball enclosure 100 in an open arrangement when thebowling ball enclosure 100 is in the first position, yet as set forthbelow, the stiffener 170 may be sufficiently bendable to substantiallyfollow the curve of the retained bowling ball 140. The stiffener 170 ofthe top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may be made ofplastic, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyurethane, or any othermaterial suitable for the intended purpose and understood by one orordinary skill in the art.

The bowling ball enclosure 100 may also include an insulation layer 180intermediate the inner layer 110 and the outer layer 120 of the bowlingball enclosure 100. The insulation layer 180 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may have a top portion or edge 181 that may be spaced fromthe stiffener 170 by a sufficient distance such that a portion of theinsulation layer 180 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may be within thefolded top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 in the secondposition. That is, the thinner inner layer 110 and thinner outer layer120 can be folded over or rolled at least once without disposing aportion of the insulation layer 180 therebetween then after the innerand outer layers 110, 120 have a fold over, the next fold causes aportion of the insulation layer 180 to be disposed within the subsequentfold, thereby ensuring the entire bowling ball is encapsulated by theinsulation layer 180 as well as the inner and outer layers 110, 120.

In one configuration, the material of the insulation layer 180 may be atleast slightly compressible so that a portion of the insulation layercan be captured within the folded portion of the bowling ball enclosure100 in the second position. In addition, the material of the insulationlayer 180 may have a sufficient R value to reduce the thermal stressesto the retained bowling ball 140 that would otherwise impart crackingduring normal usage and storage of the bowling ball 140. A satisfactorymaterial for the material of the insulation layer 180 may includerecycled denim insulation, also known as natural cotton fiberinsulation, made from scraps, chunks and clippings from the manufactureof denim clothing. In some configurations, the natural cotton fiberinsulation includes a resin distributed throughout the insulation,wherein the resin provides a structure and resiliency to the resultingproduct. The uncompressed thickness of the insulation layer is betweenapproximately ¼″ and 1″. Another flexible insulation can be fiberglassmatt, closed or open cell foam, etc.

The insulation layer 180 can be formed by a rectangular sheet and a diskof insulation material. The rectangular sheet of insulation material maybe rolled into a cylinder and joined along the longitudinal seam definean open top and an open bottom. The disk of insulation material may bejoined to the cylinder of insulation material at the open bottom to forma closed end.

The bowling ball 100 may further include bottom releasable fasteners 190that may be positioned on the outer layer 120 on the bottom portion 150of the bowling ball enclosure 100. The bottom releasable fasteners 190may be circular in shape, but may be any shape suitable for the intendedpurpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The bowlingball enclosure 100 may also include top releasable fasteners 200 thatmay be positioned on the top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure100. The top releasable fasteners 200 may be in the shape of a stripwith a width similar to the width of the stiffener 170, but may be anyshape suitable for the intended purpose and understood by one ofordinary skill in the art.

The top releasable fasteners 200 may be fastened to the bottomreleasable fasteners 190 when the bowling ball enclosure 100 is in thesecond position. The bottom releasable fasteners 190 and the topreleasable fasteners 200 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may behook-and-loop fasteners or any other fastener suitable for the intendedpurpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Each of the bottom releasable fasteners 190 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may include an aperture 210 to expel air from the interiorregion 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 when bowling ball enclosure100 transitions from the first position to the second position. Theaperture 210 of the bottom releasable fasteners 190 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may be a grommet.

The bottom releasable fasteners 190 may also be on opposing sides of thebottom portion 150 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 such that opposingsides of the bottom portion 150 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 arefully supported in the second position. The top releasable fasteners 200may be on opposing sides of the top portion 160 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 such that opposing sides of the top portion 160 of thebowling ball enclosure 100 are fully supported in the second position.

The bowling ball enclosure 100 may also include grips 220 that may bepositioned on opposing sides of the outer layer 120 and below thestiffener 170 of the top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.The grips 220 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may assist a user inholding the bowling ball enclosure 100 with one hand when the bowlingball enclosure 100 is in the second position. The grips 220 can beformed of patches of material bonded to the outer layer 120, wherein thematerial of the grips 220 may have a higher coefficient of friction thanthe material of the outer layer 120. In one configuration, the grips 220may be a thermoplastic elastomer. The bowling bowl enclosure 100 mayalso utilize one of the grips 220 to assist the user in positioning thetop portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 from the firstposition to the second position. In one configuration, the bowling ballenclosure 100 includes at least two grips 220 being positioned onopposing sides of the outer layer 120 and below the stiffener 170 of thetop portion of the bowling ball enclosure, wherein the grips assist auser in holding the bowling ball enclosure when the bowling ballenclosure is closed about the bowling ball to encapsulate the bowlingball.

The bowling ball enclosure 100 defines a height and a width. Acenter/midpoint of the bottom releasable fasteners 190 of the bowlingball enclosure 100 may be positioned at or below the midpoint of theheight of the bowling ball enclosure 100. In this configuration, thebottom releasable fasteners 190 support the bowling ball enclosure 100when held by the user in the second position. That is, by the bottomreleasable fasteners 190 being engaged below the midpoint of the bowlingball 140 retained within the bowling ball enclosure 100, a portion ofthe weight of the bowling ball 140 may be carried by the folded materialof the inner layer 110 and outer layer 120, rather than by the layersalone. For example, in the second position, if the bottom releasablefasteners 190 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 are above the midpointof the height of the bowling ball enclosure 100, the bowling ballenclosure 100 may have an increased tendency to tear due to the tensioncaused by the weight of the bowling ball 140.

As shown in FIG. 6, the bowling ball enclosure 100 may further include abottom perforated circulating ring support 230 that may be positioned atthe bottom portion 150 of the bowling ball enclosure 100. The bottomperforated circulating ring support 230 of the bowling ball enclosure100 may be configured to position the bowling ball 140 in a particularportion of the interior region 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100.The bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 also allows thebowling ball 140 to be further separated from the ground or supportsurface so as to decrease the temperature difference between the top andbottom regions of the bowling ball 140. The bottom perforatedcirculating ring support 230 may be positioned on the outer layer 120 ofthe bowling ball enclosure 100. The bottom perforated circulating ringsupport 230 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 may also be positioned incombination with the outer layer 120 of the bowling ball enclosure.

The bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 of the bowling ballenclosure 100 may be made of a rigid and insulation material or anyother material suitable for the intended purpose and understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art. In select configurations, the bottomperforated circulating ring support 230 is polymeric including plastic,or rubber or thermoset. The bottom perforated circulating ring support230 may be permanently attached to the bowling ball enclosure 100 by anadhesive, stitching, sewing, stamping, or any other method suitable forthe intended purpose and understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.It is further contemplated the bottom perforated circulating ringsupport 230 can be releasably connected to the bowling ball enclosure100 such as by hook and loop fasteners, engaging loops or strings. It isalso understood, the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 canbe entirely separate from the bowling ball enclosure 100, wherein theuser can locate the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230within the bowling ball enclosure 100 when not is use and locate thebottom perforated circulating ring support 230 between the bowling ballenclosure 100 and the floor when in use.

It is further contemplated the bottom perforated circulating ringsupport 230 can be coupled to the bowling ball enclosure 100 by a tether280, such as a cord, a strap or a binding to preclude unintendedseparation of the bottom perforated circulating ring support from thebowling ball enclosure 100. The tether 280 can have a sufficient lengthto permit operable location of the bottom perforated circulating ringsupport 230 outside the bottom surface of the bowling ball enclosure 100and storage location within the bowling ball enclosure 100.

As seen in FIG. 8, the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230includes a plurality of apertures or passages 233 to permit an air flowbetween an interior of the bottom perforated circulating ring supportand an exterior of the bottom perforated circulating ring support. Thepassages 233 can have a closed periphery or be formed by recesses,slots, openings, or holes extending from a top and/or bottom edge of thebottom perforated circulating ring support. The slots can have a heightso that the slots extend more than half a height of the bottomperforated circulating ring support and thus the slots are offset.Alternatively, the slots can be vertically aligned and extend less thanhalf a height of the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230. Inone configuration, the passages 233 are sufficient to allow atemperature differential to form within a volume defined by the supportsurface, the bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 and thebottom of the bowling ball enclosure 100 that is positioned over and onthe bottom perforated circulating ring support. Without suchperforations or slots 233, the ring support would create a column of airthat is retained within the support, wherein the column of air directlytransfers the temperature of the ground or support surface to the outerlayer 120 of the bowling ball enclosure 100, which may impart a crackingof a bowling ball 140 retained within the bowling ball enclosure.However, the slots 233 are sufficient to create a convention through thebottom perforated circulating ring support 230 to preclude the creationof a stagnant column of air.

It is believed that in an equilibrium state, a temperature differentialbetween the two polar regions (250 and 260) of the bowling ball 140 canbe limited to approximately 2-3° F. by means of the bottom perforatedcirculating ring support vs. an approximately 5-7° temperaturedifferential using a solid non-perforated ring support. That is, it isbelieved that in one configuration in an equilibrium state, thetemperature differential between the two polar regions (250 and 260) canbe reduced by approximately 50% by means of the bottom perforatedcirculating ring support vs. the temperature differential with a solidnon-perforated ring support.

The bottom perforated circulating ring support 230 can have a heightfrom approximately 0.5 inches to approximately 5 inches, wherein in oneconfiguration the height is between approximately 0.75 inches and 1.5inches. The diameter of the bottom perforated circulating ring support230 can be between approximately 2 inches to 6 inches, wherein theheight and diameter of the bottom perforated circulating ring support230 are selected to provide for spacing of the bowling ball 140 orbowling ball enclosure 100 from any support surface by at least 0.2inches. It is noted that as the diameter of the bottom perforatedcirculating ring support 230 increases, the height of the bottomperforated circulating ring support must increase to maintain thedesired spacing from the support surface. The diameter and height of thebottom perforated circulating ring support 230 are selected forretaining the bowling ball enclosure and maintaining the necessarystability for the intended location of the bowling ball enclosure. Inone configuration, in order for the poles of the bowling ball 140 toremain within 2-3° F. of each other when placed on a surface that is 10°F. below the ambient air temperature, the bowling ball must be placed ona ½″ high and 2.5″ diameter bottom perforated circulating ring support230 to interrupt the temperature conductivity from the support surfaceas well as compensate for the local compression of the insulation layer180.

The method of utilizing the bowling ball enclosure 100 to encase andreduce temperature fluctuations of the bowling ball 140 may includeproviding the bowling ball enclosure 100, inserting the bowling ball 140into the interior region 130 of the bowling ball enclosure 100, closingthe top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure 100 to encapsulate thebowling ball 140 in the interior region 130 of the bowling ballenclosure 100, folding the top portion 160 of the bowling ball enclosure100 towards the bottom portion 150 of the bowling ball enclosure 100,thereby expelling the air from the interior region 130 of the bowlingball enclosure 100, and attaching the top releasable fasteners 200 toeach of the respective bottom releasable fasteners 190 of the bowlingball enclosure 100. As the bowling ball enclosure 100 is transitioned tothe second position, the absence of the insulation layer 180 adjacentthe stiffener, allows the folding of the inner and outer layers with thestiffener of at least 180 degrees and in select configurations toapproximately 270 degrees. From 270 degrees to 360 to 405 degrees, theupper portion of the insulation layer is then caught in the formed foldsand thus encases the retained bowling ball. That is, there are no gapsin the insulation layer extending about the bowling ball.

Thus, the present disclosure addresses current bowling balls formed ofreactive urethane resins which can render the balls prone to crackingdue to (i) rapid or uneven changes in the temperature of the ball as awhole and (ii) rapid or uneven changes in the temperatures between themultiple layers whereas the reactive urethane cover stock encases thecore and filler materials which is are made from different densitymaterials. In addition, the present disclosure assists in reducing thepropensity of reactive urethane resin balling balls to crack as the ballages and dries out.

The present design provides a number of advantages including (i) aconfiguration which provides for a compact encasing of the bowling ball140 so as to fit into most commercially available bowling ball bags aswell as providing efficient use of materials and manufacturing steps forcost efficiency; (ii) use of the vapor barrier material, such as Mylar®polyester film, for the inner and outer layer seals the bowling ballagainst resin evaporation thereby minimizing aging which can eventuallylead to cracking; (iii) the Mylar® film increasing resistance to solarradiation and heating; (iv) effective encapsulation of the retainedbowling ball with the insulation layer 180 sandwiched between in theinner and the outer layer 110, 120 such that as the bowling ballenclosure is moved to the second position, there are no gaps in theinsulation surrounding the bowling ball, in addition the flexibleinsulation layer insures conformity to the spherical bowling ball aswell as conformity of the temperature of the bowling ball around theentire spherical surface. The present structure reduces relative cold orhot spots that can lead to cracking if the temperature differentialexceeds approximately 7° F.

The present design and rigidity of the inner and outer layers 110, 120along with the insulation layer 180 offers easy insertion and removal ofthe bowling ball 140 which is crucial for the convenience of the user.

The semi-rigid plastic stiffener 170 which can be used to connect orbond both inner and outer layers 110, 120 along the top of the upperportion facilitates a mechanism for a quick and easy sealing of thebowling ball enclosure 100 about the bowling ball 140.

The hook and look fasteners located at the end regions of the sealingstrip attach to mating hook and look fasteners located below the centerregion of the bowling ball enclosure and are positioned below an equatorof the retained bowling ball to bear the weight of the balling ball.

In the present disclosure, the holes in the releasable fasteners allowfor venting of trapped air while allow for subsequently sealing uponbeing covered over by the mating releasable fasteners.

Further, the construction of the monolithic inner and outer layers 110,120 of the laminated film as set forth above allows for a verticallypositioned non-sealed strap or band of unbroken or seam free materialwithin each of the inner and outer layers to maximize the weight bearingability of the bowling ball enclosure.

The present disclosure also provides a useful handle after transitioningfrom the first position to the second position, wherein the foldedsections of the inner and outer layer in conjunction with the stiffenerfor the handle for ease of carrying. The inclusion of the rubber stripgrip reduces slipping during transport.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa present preferred embodiment, but it will be understood thatvariations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scopeof the disclosure. The presently disclosed embodiments are thereforeconsidered in all respects to the illustrative and not restrictive. Thescope of the disclosure is indicated by the appended claims, and allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereofare intended to be embraced therein.

It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are,for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may alsobe provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable sub combination.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bowling ball enclosure that encases and reducestemperature fluctuations of a bowling ball, the bowling ball enclosurecomprising: an inner layer and an outer layer that are made of a polymermaterial, the inner layer forming an interior region that receives thebowling ball, at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer beingmonolithic; a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion beingreinforced with a stiffener to support the top portion, the stiffenerbeing connected to at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer,the top portion being positionable from a first position to a secondposition: in the first position, the top portion being in an openposition to receive the bowling ball into the interior region; and inthe second position, the top portion being in a closed position toencapsulate the bowling bowl, the top portion being folded towards thebottom portion to decrease an amount of empty space in the interiorregion; an insulation layer intermediate the inner layer and the outerlayer, the insulation layer having a top portion spaced from thestiffener by a sufficient distance such that a portion of the insulationlayer is within the folded top portion in the second position; at leasttwo bottom releasable fasteners being positioned on the outer layer inthe bottom portion of the bowling ball enclosure; and at least two topreleasable fasteners being positioned on the top portion of the bowlingball enclosure, the at least two top releasable fasteners being fastenedto the at least two bottom releasable fasteners when the bowling ballenclosure is in the second position.
 2. The bowling ball enclosure ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer issufficient to prevent tearing of the bowling ball enclosure due to aweight of the bowling ball.
 3. The bowling ball enclosure of claim 1,wherein at least one of the at least two bottom releasable fastenersincludes an aperture to expel air from the interior region when thebowling ball enclosure transitions from the first position to the secondposition.
 4. The bowling ball enclosure of claim 3, wherein the apertureof the at least one of the at least two bottom releasable fasteners isdefined by a grommet.
 5. The bowling ball enclosure of claim 1, whereinthe polymer material is one of polyester, biaxially-orientedpolyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene.
 6. The bowling ballenclosure of claim 1, wherein the bottom releasable fasteners and thetop releasable fasteners are hook-and-loop fasteners.
 7. The bowlingball enclosure of claim 1, wherein the insulation layer includes arectangular sheet and a disk of insulation material, the rectangularsheet being formed into a cylinder having a top portion and a bottomportion, the disk being connected at the bottom portion of the cylinder.8. The bowling ball enclosure of claim 1, wherein the stiffener of thetop portion of the bowling ball enclosure is one of plastic,polyethylene and high density polyethylene.
 9. The bowling ballenclosure of claim 1, wherein the bowling ball enclosure includes aheight and a width, the at least two bottom releasable fasteners beingpositioned below the midpoint of a height of the bowling ball enclosure.10. The bowling ball enclosure of claim 1, further comprising a bottomperforated circulating ring support that is positioned at the bottomportion of the bowling ball enclosure.
 11. The bowling ball enclosure ofclaim 10, wherein the bottom perforated circulating ring support is oneof polymeric, rubber and thermoset.
 12. The bowling ball enclosure ofclaim 10, wherein the bottom perforated circulating ring support isadjacent the outer layer of the bowling ball enclosure.
 13. The bowlingball enclosure of claim 1, wherein the at least two bottom releasablefasteners are on opposing sides of the bottom portion of the bowlingball enclosure.
 14. The bowling ball enclosure of claim 1, wherein theat least two top releasable fasteners are on opposing sides of the topportion of the bowling ball enclosure.
 15. A method of utilizing abowling ball enclosure to encase and reduce temperature fluctuations ofa bowling ball, the method comprising: providing the bowling ballenclosure, the bowling ball enclosure comprising: an inner layer and anouter layer that are made of a polymer material, the inner layer formingan interior region that receives the bowling ball, at least one of theinner layer and the outer layer being monolithic; a bottom portion and atop portion, the top portion being reinforced with a stiffener tosupport the top portion, the stiffener being connected to at least oneof the inner layer and the outer layer, the top portion beingpositionable from a first position to a second position: in the firstposition, the top portion being in an open position to receive thebowling ball into the interior region; and in the second position, thetop portion being in a closed position to encapsulate the bowling bowl,the top portion being folded towards the bottom portion to decrease anamount of empty space in the interior region; an insulation layerintermediate the inner layer and the outer layer, the insulation layerhaving a top portion spaced from the stiffener by a sufficient distancesuch that a portion of the insulation layer is within the folded topportion in the second position; at least two bottom releasable fastenersbeing positioned on the outer layer in the bottom portion of the bowlingball enclosure; and at least two top releasable fasteners beingpositioned on the top portion of the bowling ball enclosure, the atleast two top releasable fasteners being fastened to the at least twobottom releasable fasteners when the bowling ball enclosure is in thesecond position.
 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising sizingthe interior region of the bowling ball enclosure to receive a bowlingball.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the top portion can be closedby folding over sections of the top portion to encapsulate the bowlingball in the interior region of the bowling ball enclosure.